derive (something) from (someone or something)

derive (something) from (someone or something)

1. To gain something from a particular source. Liz definitely derived her athletic ability from her father, who used to be a professional baseball player. My mother derives great joy from cooking, but I simply don't.
2. To originate or emerge from a particular source. I think this word derives from Greek, but what does it say in the dictionary?
3. To trace the genesis or origin of something to a particular source. After a period of careful study, the linguist derived that term from Latin.
See also: derive
Farlex Dictionary of Idioms.

derive something from someone or something

to draw or abstract something from someone or something. She derives a lot of spiritual support from her religion. She derives her patience from her mother.
See also: derive

derive something from something

to show how something is descended from something else. Is it possible to derive this word from Greek? Is this word derived from Latin?
See also: derive

derive from something

to come from something; to evolve from something. (Usually in reference to a word and its etymological history.) This word derives from an ancient Celtic word. What does the English word skirt derive from?
See also: derive
McGraw-Hill Dictionary of American Idioms and Phrasal Verbs.

derive from

v.
1. To obtain or receive something from some source: I derive great pleasure from listening to music.
2. To issue or originate from some source: The word "peninsula" derives from the Latin words for "almost" and "island."
3. To trace the origin or development of something, as a word, from some source: The language scholar derived the word from ancient Greek.
See also: derive
The American Heritage® Dictionary of Phrasal Verbs.
See also:
  • derive
  • derive from
  • (but) that's another story
  • (something), thy name is (someone or something)
  • a case of (something)
  • case of
  • smash (something) to smithereens
  • blast to smithereens
  • go by
  • go-by